Türkiye determined to buy S-400; EU agrees to delay Brexit but with conditions
(Baonghean.vn) - Türkiye is determined to buy S-400 despite warnings from the US; the EU is ready to agree to delay Brexit but with conditions; Israel holds a general election... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Türkiye determined to buy S-400 despite warnings from the US
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Russian President Putin (left) and his Turkish counterpart Erdogan met at the Kremlin on April 8. Photo: AP |
"We have drawn up a roadmap and taken the necessary measures to implement the S-400 missile purchase contract. Those who call for us to abandon the contract at this time clearly do not understand us," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on April 8. Speaking at a joint press conference after talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Erdogan stressed that the purchase of the S-400 is Türkiye's sovereign right and "when we reach an agreement, the matter is done."
The deal to buy the S-400s was signed by Türkiye and Russia in December 2017, despite strong objections from the US. The US earlier this month increased pressure on Türkiye over the deal, warning that Ankara could be expelled from NATO for possessing a missile system that threatens the bloc’s overall security. The Pentagon also threatened to halt the delivery of F-35 stealth fighters if Türkiye went ahead with the deal.
EU ready to agree to delay Brexit but with conditions
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| The British Parliament Building in London on April 4, 2019. Photo: AFP/VNA |
According to a VNA correspondent in Brussels, German Minister for European Affairs Michael Roth said: “It is necessary to give the British side time to know what they really want.” However, EU ministers also did not rule out the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking at a press conference on the same day, the EU's chief negotiator for Brexit, Mr. Michel Barnier, said that the EU hopes that the discussion between political parties in the UK will gather a majority of votes in support of the Brexit agreement in the House of Commons and that the EU will be ready to give the UK more time to achieve this. According to Mr. Barnier, the extension of the Brexit deadline beyond April 12 will depend on the reasons given by British Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as in accordance with the purpose of extending Brexit.
US President announces $11 billion tax on EU imports
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| Airbus A380 aircraft are produced at the factory in Blagnac, southern France, March 21, 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On April 9, in a statement on Twitter, President Donald Trump emphasized that the World Trade Organization (WTO) had found that the EU subsidized the Airbus aircraft manufacturing group, which was detrimental to the US. Therefore, the US will impose tariffs on imported products from the EU worth a total of 11 billion USD. The statement stated: "The EU has taken advantage of the US on trade for many years. This will soon end." However, President Trump did not specify the official time for imposing tariffs.
President Donald Trump made the announcement just one day after the US Trade Representative (USTR) released a list of EU goods that will be subject to additional tariffs. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer affirmed that the US's goal is to reach an agreement with the EU to end all WTO-illegal subsidies for large civil aircraft.
Israel holds general elections
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| Israeli soldiers cast their early votes at a polling station in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on April 7. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
This 21st election has the participation of 39 parties. According to the Israeli Constitution, participating parties must pass the minimum threshold of 3.25% of the total vote to win seats in the Knesset.
South Korea to completely exempt tuition fees for general education from 2021
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| Students at a school in Goyang, north of the capital Seoul. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
In a meeting on April 9, the Presidential Office, the Government and the ruling Democratic Party (DP) of South Korea agreed on a tuition-free roadmap, aiming to completely exempt tuition fees for high school students in the country from 2021.
South Korean officials hope that free tuition will help ensure the right of all South Koreans to attend school and help reduce the burden of education costs for South Korean families. According to South Korean Vice Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol, the free tuition policy will help each family with one child in middle school save about 1.58 million won ($1,400) a year.
